Fractionation apparatus



Nov. 4, 1930. w. z. FRIEND 1,780,818

FRACTIONATION APPARATUS I Filed p 192a 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 $19.1 V I. a

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FRACTIONATION APPARATUS Filed Sept. 17, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuewtoz Myne Z,Frienc dftot an Patented Nov. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES WAYNE Z. FRIEND, OF CHARLESTON, WEST ENGINEERING CORPORATION, A

vmenim, ASS/IGNOR '10 BALTIMORE ems conroaa'rrou 0F MARYLAND FRACTIONATION APPARATUS Application filed September 1,7, 1928. Serial No. 806,564.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus used in the fractionation of liquids, and especially to an apparatus for the fractionation of liquids composed of soluble fractions having relatively close boiling points, such as the hydrocarbon fractions of natural gasoline. 4

One of the objects of the invention is to, provide a rectifying column, the internal portions of which are accessi le for repairs, cleaning or adjustment.

Another object is to furnish a fractionating column of the bubble cap type; in which the caps are less complicated, cheaper to manufacture, and fewer in number than in the columns heretofore proposed, and also in which said caps are accessible for replacement if corrosion should take place.

A still further object is to furnish a rectitying column in which more thorough equilibrium may be obtained on each plate, owing to the fact that the liquid is circulatedas well as agitated.

Another object is to provide a fractionating column of the bubble cap type, in which the caps are elongated; the caps on adjacent plates being arranged at angles to each other to assist in changing the direction of the gas and liquid flow, and to keep the streams more thoroughly mixed. 7

A still further object is to furnish a-bubble cap fractionating column in which the available-outlet vapor area of each plate is reater than that of the conventional rou-n .caps,

whichpermits a more compact apparatus (and increases the capacity of the column.

I .A furtherobject is to produce a rectifying; column wherein the pressure drop through the column is decreased, thus reducing to a minimum the loss of pressure resulting from the use of a late and cap column.

Other ob ects will appear as this description proceeds. i j I shall describe this apparatus as it is applied to the fractionation of natural gasoline, 1

although I do not wish to limit the use of my invention to this particular duty, since I ain aware that the invention'is applicable toithe fractionation of a wide variety of liquids.

The nature and advantages of my invention will better be understood when the following' detail description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing; my inven tion residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

Referring to the drawing, 7 Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in vertical section of my improved fractionating tower.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectionalview of the same, taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3.is an enlarged vertical sectionalview Y of a detail of one of the plates. In the drawing, 1 designates the shell of my lmproved column which is of conventional constructiomhaving a closed top plate 2, and a bottom 3, provided with a manhole, closed 7 by a removable cover 4.

As is usual in plate type columns, the tower in the present instance, is provided with a multiplicity of horizontally disposed plates 5 of the same diameter as the inner diameter of the shell, and secured to said shell in prop-. erly spaced relation, by any suitable means, (not shown).

Each plate, as best shown in Fig. 2, has a centrally disposed aperture closed by a removable plate (0), which may be removed from'the lower side of the plate. Obviously, after the manhole plate 4 is removed,--the operator, mayremove the va'rious covers (0) and thus gain access to the. interior ofthe column for making repairs, cleaning or adjuagment. .11 H I i'ametrica o posite over ow i es a depend from ea dh plate, and their liiv er e nds terminate within a short distanceof-thenext lower plate, and also within annular flanges or rings (b) mounted on the upper surface of the next lower plate. It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the flanges (b) of a plate are diametrically oppositel disposed, and located at 90 relatively to t e overflow pipes (a) 1 I of that plate, and as each plate is arranged and is then caused take tortuous pl te and cap column. y

1 From the foregoingit is believed that the "construction, operation and advantages of the ways, as shown by the arrows in 2,toj ward the overflow glpes (a) of that articular plate. The 'ba es for; effecting t is, are formed by the special va or'outlets and the ca s which I have devise for the same. In

' th1s particular instance each plate is provided with a numbero referabl parallel vapor outlet openings (5, each outlet]. by' an elongated endless flange which projects upwardly from the 'late.- It will be noted that some ofthese angesare singular and project substantially all the way across the plate, but terminate a short distance from the-edge of the plate, while alternate flanges are-doubledor arranged end to end,'and-the outer ends of-each of these double or pair of flanges extends to theedge of the plate. 'Con-- sequently, the upper surface of the plate is obstructed orbaflled bya multiplicity of g0 flanges so arranged that the liquid must travel intortuous pat s Each of the flanges (Z) cooperates with an v elongated cap ((1'), w ich, as' best shown in I Fig. 3, has its lower edges notched and resting on the upper surface of the plate. Due to this construction, the vapors or gases rising throu h the flanges (d) are caused by the.

caps d) to turn downwardly andexit into the layer of l'quid which is flowinglover the 3,0 plate toward e overflow pipes of t at plate. As before stated, adjacent plates are arranged at'90 relatively to each other, and consequently, the flanges (d) and caps (d) of each plate are arranged at 90 relatively to the next adjacent plate or plates? The apparatus herein described has the following advantages. over the conventional type of fractionating column. r

It is accessible for repairs, cleaning or 40 adjustments; K

2. The caps areless complicated, cheaper plates an from the spirit of the invention, as expressed I in the claims.

What I claim anddesire secure by Letters alppiaratus, a series of s e movable cover to permit the operator to gain access to the interior of the shell and plates. 2. In a fractionationaplparatus, a closed shell, superposed plates orizontall'y positionedin s 'aced relation within the shell, the

vided with registering manholes, and rellpolvable coverscompletely closing said man- In testimony whereof I aflix my si nature: WAYNE Z; FRI

to manufacture, fewer in number and accessible for replacement iflcorrosion should take lace. v

3. ore thorough equilibrium is obtained on each plate because the liquid is circulated as well as agitated. 4. The rotation of each plate with'refer-- A. ence tothe vertical axis of the column assists n changin gg the direction of the gas flow and keeps i tfmore thoroughly mixed. j I 5.31119 ajt'ailableoutlet vapor area is greater'thaiij that of the conventional round caps which, permits a more 'com act appara-' tus and/increases the'capacity o the column. 6. The pressure drop through the-column" is decreased; thus reducing to a minimum the I y .1 inventioin may be readily-undefstooQ-and I am aware-that various changes may be made lossof pressure resulting .from the use of a in details disclosed withoutdeparting one end of'the shell being pro 1 enclosing said 

